Pathways are a film production company based in Calderdale, West Yorkshire featuring journeys highlighting the historical background and ‘Pretty Gritty’ landscapes found in the South Pennines, which is the home of the ‘Grand Depart’ of the Tour de France in July 2014.

Produced in 2004 this film follows the Bronte Way footpath, which is 43 miles in length stretching from Birstall near Leeds in West Yorkshire traversing the Pennines to Gawthorpe Hall at Padiham near Burnley in Lancashire. The film takes us along this trail visiting the many places associated with the lives and literary works of the Bronte family.

Part 2 of “The Bronte Ways” begins with a more thorough look at the Bronte family’s village of Haworth exploring the many places involved in their lives and the buildings associated with their novels. The Black Bull Inn, frequented by brother Branwell Bronte, stands at the top of the main, cobbled street with its many ghostly tales. The Apothecary is opposite where he bought his opium to still his troubled mind, close by is the Parish Church where Patrick Bronte preached, surrounded by the looming presence of the church graveyard where so many of the family lie buried.

Leaving Haworth behind we journey forward joining the Pennine Way to Ponden Hall, felt to be the image for Thrushcross Grange and then upwards to “Top Withins” to experience the landscape and atmosphere which inspired “Wuthering Heights”. Crossing the watershed of the wild Pennines we explore the beautiful medieval village of Wycoller and its Hall featured in “Jane Eyre”.

We venture further into Lancashire under the watchful eye of Pendle Hill, home to the notorious Pendle Witches before arriving at the splendid surroundings of Gawthorpe Hall at Padiham near Burnley, the former home of the Kay-Shuttleworth family who Charlotte visited on several occasions.

Should you have missed the first part of the walk, have a look at Bronte Ways Part 1 which traced the family’s life from their birthplace at Thornton to the village of Haworth.